On a recent snowy night the Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet tempted 350 guests to put on their warmest wraps and dress to the nines for its second winter benefit, this time with a fiery twist. The “Lady in Red” gala encouraged all attending to “dare to wear red” to the sold-out event, which featured dinner, auctions and a sizzling cabaret performance by Chicago chanteuse (and board member) Shelley MacArthur. And while the garnet-encrusted chandeliers in the Palmer House’s Red Lacquer room lent a decided elegance, we were reminded of a different annual red carpet affair. For you, the members of our academy, the winners are . . . .
BEST GLAM AUCTIONEER: Leslie Hindman, whose Vegas-red boa seduced many a high bidder to go for broke.
BEST CREATIVE USE OF RED: Father John Costello, who spiced up his Vatican black with a red bow tie and cumberbund.
MOST ROBUST ROYAL: Emcee Bill Kurtis (“I thought the King was coming!” said one perplexed waiter of Kurtis’ introductory fanfare.)
BEST PACKAGE: Four tickets and two hotel rooms to the NBA All-Star Weekend, the Daytona 500, The World Series and the 2005 Superbowl.($6,500).
MOST DANGEROUS OVERHEARD COMMENT: “Your wife is very beautiful and very smart. My wife talks too much.”
